Effects of Socio-Cultural Factors on Use of Technology in Smallholder Dairy Commercialization Projects in Transnzoia County, Kenya

Abstract

In response to population growth, diminishing income and increased land sub-division, the demand for livestock products, such as milk is growing in Trans-Nzoia County. The growing demand offers opportunities for smallholders to realize better income hence improved livelihoods. Whereas the growing demand for milk is widely recognized, the dairy sector has not been able to produce adequate milk to satisfy this demand, mainly due to low production and productivity of milk. Most development projects are directed to the smallholder farmers with a populace of 75-80% of the Agricultural Sector in the country to re-direct their energies to help change livelihoods. Projects and/or programmes have been used based on the identified needs in different approaches fill the gap to increase milk production and productivity by use of new and tested technologies. There was likelihood of low use of technologies (Smallholder Dairy Commercialization Project (SDCP) report 2016). The overall objective of this study was to look into the effects of socio-cultural factors on use of technology in smallholder dairy commercialization projects among smallholder dairy farmers in Trans Nzoia County, Kenya. It was designed to (i) to evaluate socio-cultural factors affecting the use of technology among smallholder dairy farmers; (ii) to determine extent of effects of socio-cultural factors on use of Smallholder Dairy technology; and (iii) to establish the relationship between socio-cultural factors and Smallholder Dairy farmers' technology use. Data was collected through structured questionnaire administered to a random sample of smallholder dairy groups within Dairy Commercialization Areas (DCAs). The analytical approach used was regression and correlations based on the number of variables and form of relationship; and LSD multiple mean separation, and ANOVA p-value and general linear model to analyse for differences on socio-cultural factors in technology use, excel analysis where applicable and simple percentages thereof. Graphs indicating different levels of the factors against technology use were drawn using computer program. A scatter plot of was plotted fitted with regression line, equation and coefficient of determination (R²) to determine unit measure for possible incremental and variability in use as a result of effects. The findings showed that socio-cultural factors affect technology use. Effects differ with each technology and there is relationship between socio-cultural factors and technology use. There were significant differences in use between technologies and interaction between intervening factors in use at p (< 0.05). Regression equation and (R²) explained a unit of 1.4914 incremental unit offered and a 76 % variability as result of relationship between socio-cultural factors and technology use.  The study therefore shall deepen the understanding on the socio-cultural factors at the levels of farm households, in the dairy industry and the institutions and policies on farmers' decision to use technologies.  This will provide insights into the levels of use, technologies of preference and relative factors affecting them thereof; both technical and farmer levels.